Local News

On the record: Girard

Girard

WHAT: City council meeting Monday

PRESENT: Reynald Paolone, Tod Latell, Lily Martuccio, Keith Schubert, Thomas Grumley, James Clark, Wes Steiner, John Moliterno and Mayor Mark Zuppo

Council:

• Heard from resident Tonya Carpenter about the acreage of land and lakes at the Girard Lakes property. Grumley said the property is 728.19 acres, with 175 acres being the lake.

• Recognized the Girard High School cheerleaders for being named OHSAA state champions at competition in Columbus.

• Heard from Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine the city received two Go Green Community Grants from the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District, with one $15,000 for repaving the area by the recycling bins and $3,500 for new picnic tables for Tod Park.

• Heard from police Chief John Freeman more police officers would be needed for speed camera usage, which is an extra duty of officers.

• Heard from Clark about concerns with cars and trucks parking on sidewalks in different parts of the city, Freeman said police are addressing the issue.

• Requested legislation be prepared for dealing with short-term rentals in the city.

• Announced the finance committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 23; economic development committee at 6:30 p.m. April 13 in council chambers; zoning committee at 5 p.m. and community block watch at 6 p.m. March 19 at Girard Free Library.

• Announced upcoming events, including an Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. March 28 at Tod Park; Earth Day cleanup April 18; community blood drive April 28 at the city building gymnasium; Civic Day April 30; and America250-Ohio celebration/Liberty Memorial Park 100th anniversary noon to 7 p.m. May 23 at Liberty Memorial Park.

-- Bob Coupland

Local News

On the record – Girard

WHAT: Board of education meeting Thursday

PRESENT: Vincent Ragozine, Joseph Castor, Tammy King, Scott Strain and Zachary Steiner

The board:

• Recognized Dylan Trevelline, a senior and son of Kristilyn and Joe Trevelline, who is a National Merit finalist. He is looking at attending the University of Alabama

• Received a $93,000 school bus safety grant for safety upgrades to school buses.

• Approved an agreement with Tru Green Commercial at a cost of $19,950 for one year for fertilizer and weed control at school building properties, bus garage, football stadium and baseball and softball fields. Superintendent Bryan O'Hata said the district does not have anyone who can apply the pesticide.

• Approved Treasurer Maureen Lloyd as district representative to the county's tax incentive review council organized by the Trumbull County Planning Commission.

• Heard from King of adding a legislative update to the board agenda on what is happening with education from the state and local levels. She also recommended moving the student recognition portion of the agenda to near the beginning of the meeting.

• Approved an agreement with the Trumbull County Educational Service Center for special education programs and services for district students at $1.04 million.

• Approved Youngstown State University students to have field and clinical learning experience at the school district for educator preparation programs.

• Set a substitute bus driver rate at $19 per hour.

• Approved Kaitlin Groscost as drama production assistant at $30 per hour up to 33 hours.

• Recognized the high school cheerleading team, which placed first in its division at the recent state cheerleading competition. They will be recognized March 18 at an event at the Eastwood Mall.

• Announced the community STEM Night will be 6 p.m. March 24 at the high school.

-- Bob Coupland